The Queen Mary and former Spruce Goose dome in Long Beach Harbor in 2013.

From a northbound AquaLink, another AquaLink boat heads south along the Long Beach coast in 2011.

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Carnival Cruise Lines ships, like this one leaving Key West, Fla., routinely sail out of Long Beach for destinations in Mexico.

The AquaBus docks at Rainbow Harbor in downtown Long Beach. The AquaBus and AquaLink normally sail the coast off Long Beach from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, but this year the boats are operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26.

A Duffy Boat is ready to be rented at Long Beach Boat Rentals, 429 Shoreline Village Drive.

Ahoy, mateys! This is beach city, and that means our favorite things don’t necessarily have to be on land. So slip on your deck shoes and come aboard a few of our favorite boats.

DUFFY BOATS

I realized Duffy Boats were special when I learned years ago that our newsroom’s management team used to rent them for wine-fueled “retreats.” The boats are the poor man’s way to get out on the water: easy to steer, easy to afford and easy to enjoy. There’s no better way to spend a couple of hours.

The even-poorer-man’s way to get on the water is on one of Long Beach Transit’s two water taxis. The Aquabus is a bare-bones boat circling the downtown marina, with fares of $1 in each direction. The more luxurious Aqualink rides the coast from downtown to the Queen Mary, Belmont Pier and Seaport Village, just steps from Seal Beach, with soft drinks, snacks and bar service available on board. Fares are $5 each way. The service usually starts its summer break at Labor Day, but this year the boats are operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26.

Sure, there are newer cruise ships than Carnival’s Inspiration and Imagination. But none is more fun than Long Beach’s own sailing twins, running three- and four-day cruises to Ensenada. Rowdy crowds start early and party late into the night; there’s no better (and no easier) getaway. The main dining room is surprisingly good. For a longer trip from our local port, the newer Carnival Miracle runs seven-day Mexico trips.

She’s the matriarch of our city, celebrating her 80th anniversary and still looking as glamorous as the day she first set sail. Like many of us, The Queen Mary is a transplant – but today she’s a tried-and-true symbol of Long Beach. After all, she’s spent more time here than she did on the high seas. Sunday brunch is not to be missed, nor are the city views from the gorgeous Observation Bar. And you really should stay overnight sometime – but maybe not while the haunted Dark Harbor attraction is in place.